The Benefits of Drinking Water

We all know we're supposed to drink lots of water, and that the human body is about 60% to 70% of it, but we never really hear much more than this, other than "drink 8 glasses a day". I thought I'd share with you a few great reasons to increase your water intake and ensure you're getting enough for your body - and what your body needs it for. A person could live without food for about a month - without water - about a week. That's how important it is.

Drinking water is about far more than just quenching your thirst. Your body needs water for virtually everything you do and most of its systems. For example, just the act of breathing and using your lungs uses water - somewhere between 2 and 4 cups a day. What would you do without your breath, and your respiratory system? Umm...I'm not a doctor, but I'm guessing the answer is "die". It's important for all of us to drink water, and the more physically active you are, the more you need to drink. Obviously, because you sweat when you're exercising you're ripping through your water supply, but did you know that because lean muscle has more water than fat tissue does, it requires more water to keep functioning properly? Love your muscles and your gun show? Drink your water, baby.

Here are some quick facts about water and how it works in your ridiculously AWESOME body-machine:

• Your blood is made up mostly of water, and that blood carries nutrients throughout your body. Thank you, blood!
• Your body uses water for digestion, and being properly hydrated can prevent constipation. Reach for some H20 instead of that chemical stuff next time you can't poop. And eat your veggies!
• Water helps all of your organs function properly.
• Human cells need water and without it - they die. Think of the hundreds of trillions of cells in your body, and every one of those needs water to do their job. Come on, man. Hook them up! Look what they're doing for you!!
• Water flushes out bacteria and toxins that are floating around in your body, thereby contributing to all around better health.
• Water helps transport waste out of the body.
• Drinking water can significantly reduce joint or back pain for many sufferers. Please note: if you have severe or chronic joint or back pain, you should see your chiropractor or doctor for a proper diagnosis.
• Water helps regulate your body temperature, and is essential for proper circulation.
• Water helps increase your energy levels. If you're tired - you might just be dehydrated. Drink up, Buttercup!
• Water helps maintain a healthy body weight by regulating your appetite and metabolism
• Water naturally moisturizes your skin, leaving it with a beautiful healthy glow (it's way more effective than your night cream, ladies!)

For those of us who are exercise fanatics, the day after an intense workout can mean you're feeling some serious accumulation of lactic acid build up in your muscles. AKA - it burns!! My clients and class participants are familiar with this term being called "feeling the love", and I tell all of them to keep moving, and...drink more water. That water helps flush it out, which means you're feeling better sooner.

So - how much water should you drink every day? Well, it depends on how active you are, but in general it's suggested that men drink 3 litres per day, and women drink 2.2 litres a day. If you are physically active, are breastfeeding, are in hot climate - you need to increase those numbers. I've attached a link here to the Mayo Clinic & some guidelines they provide to help you figure out if you're getting what you need.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/nu00283

And, if all this isn't enough to get you drinking more water, I've got one more for you. Water is calorie free! CALORIE FREE, PEOPLE!!!